Film Studies: Narrative Theories

Narrative Structure is a theory which was created by Tsvetan Todorov, a Bulgarian structuralist, who published a lot of influential work on narrative throughout the 1960s. He suggested that stories begin with something called an equilibrium - which is something that shows a completely normal state of affairs within the narrative you are watching. Something then happens within the narrative which causes a disruption and creates a chain of events, in which are solved by the end of the narrative, where normality is restored. There are five stages in which Todorov suggested a narrative should be structured in; State of equilibrium, disruption of equilibrium, recognition of disruption, attempt at trying to restore disruption (solution) and finally, the equilibrium being restored. This structure is used in a lot of films we see - many without even noticing.

Character Types was founded by Vladimir Propp, a literary critic/scholar who had a huge interest in narrative structure. His theory of character types was and is to this day, a hugely influential theory, as many writers and producers use his theory when it comes to their stories and/or films. He had an idea that each character within a movie had a specific classification, which helps us to correctly pin point what role a character has in a narrative. Propp suggested that these character types were split in eight different sections -

• The villain (antagonist; against the hero/protagonist)
• The hero (protagonist; quest to save the day, wins Princess's love)
• The dispatcher (who reveals evil of villain and sends hero off to save the day)
• The 'magical' helper (much like a sidekick, helps hero/protagonist in his quest to save the day)
• The Princess (who is essentially the hero's reward or prize after completing his quest)
• The father of the Princess (usually gives tasks for hero to complete and rewards his effort)
• The donor - who gives the hero a magical or helpful gift which helps him in his quest
• The false hero - character who claims the rewards of true hero's efforts; marries Princess

Binary Opposition, a theory developed by Levi Strauss, helps to establish who the good and bad characters are within narratives very quickly. He suggested that we do not conceive an idea of something through the words of their meanings; but more through their opposites when they are presented together. For example, our understanding of the word villain is made clearer through its opponent, the hero. Binary Oppositions are very common in films, especially of the horror genre as there is more than always a good and a bad character, who through their prescience, helps us distinguish what their role is and if we can trust them. Examples of opposites are ones such as; human>supernatural, insane>irrational and male>female.